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墨書 Inktalez
Wang Yi did not expect this to be the reason and could only sigh, "Fate is truly unpredictable."
"But no matter how Lord thinks, saving my father and me is a fact. If there are any orders, Wang will repay with my life."
Wang Yi had been here for some time and naturally sensed that the people around him were not ordinary household servants of a typical noble family. Therefore, he did not believe that they would let him go so easily.
Li Jian Cheng certainly would not let him go; as long as he was alive, he could not leave, and if he died, his face would have to be ruined. Only when the time came to truly raise a banner of rebellion could he be entrusted with a position.
However, Li Jian Cheng still sincerely advised, "It is not that Jian Cheng wishes to coerce you into gratitude; it is simply that Brother Wang bears too great a burden of guilt. Preserving your life is difficult enough without freedom."
"This much Wang understands. No matter where Lord places me, I will live cautiously and carefully, ensuring I do not harm others or myself."
Once they opened up, both felt much more at ease and began discussing the previous battle, especially the various choices made regarding Han Wang. They concluded that Zhuge Wuhou's revival would not help Yang Liang win.
After chatting over several cups of tea, Li Jian Cheng stood to take his leave, agreeing to meet again tomorrow. Wang Yi respectfully escorted him to the door, treating him with the demeanor of a servant attending to his master.
Once Li Jian Cheng left, Wang Yi's son spoke up, "Father, will we ever see the light of day again?"
"I don't know. This is not something you or I can decide; it does not even depend on Li Langjun but rather on His Majesty."
Wang Yi's son hesitated for a moment before asking in confusion, "Even if the emperor grants a general amnesty, he wouldn't pardon us, would he?"
Wang Yi was at a loss for words. He found it hard to understand; he was not an unintelligent man, and his wife was the daughter of Emperor Chen Wu, Chen Baxian. How could he have given birth to such an unsatisfactory son?
But after all, he was his own flesh and blood. Wang Yi could only speak frankly: "It depends on whether the emperor can stabilize his reign. If he can continue the prosperity of the Predecessor Emperor, then perhaps we father and son will never have our day in the sun."
If the emperor truly secured his position, then there would be no need for any day in the sun; Li Jian Cheng would kill them to eliminate future troubles. However, there was no need to share this with his son; it was better to hold onto hope for another day of life.
In the following days, Li Jian Cheng often came to talk with him about various matters. They discussed the recent policies issued by the emperor and felt they were somewhat too eager for quick results. Just a few days ago, while still on the road, the emperor had sent back an edict.
He ordered the conscription of hundreds of thousands of men to dig ditches from Longmen eastward connecting Changping and Ji County to Linqing Pass, crossing the Yellow River to Xunyi and Xiangcheng until reaching Shangluo for defense arrangements.
Clearly, this was meant to guard against a large-scale cavalry invasion. However, since Turkic forces had just been dispersed and Qimin Khan now had to rely on the Sui Dynasty, a large-scale invasion was impossible. Moreover, with the court fully equipped for war, what fear would there be even if they went to battle with Turkic forces?
It is not that there shouldn't be defenses set up, but rather that it shouldn't require the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of young men all at once when it could be accomplished in phases over the years.
However, the Court had no objections. Firstly, they did not dare to advise the Emperor against it; secondly, fortifying defenses was ultimately a good thing; and thirdly, the court had ample funds and provisions, and it was neither spring planting nor autumn harvest season.
Thus, hundreds of thousands began the grand task of digging ditches. Just as the court arranged this matter, another imperial edict arrived, commanding the construction of the Eastern Capital in Iro and instructing the court to begin preparations for official work to commence next year.
While there were no objections to fortifying defenses, the construction of the Eastern Capital prompted many in the Court to voice their concerns, particularly among the Guanlong Aristocracy, as the Emperor's intentions were rather obvious.
Yet there were also many who supported it, such as officials from Shandong Gentry and Jiangzuo Gentry backgrounds, who had been suppressed for too long and were eager for the capital relocation.
Like snowflakes, memorials flew to Yang Guang's desk. At that moment, he was feasting with officials and scholars from the counties along his route, allowing them to speak freely. Naturally, what he received was a cacophony of opinions.
Finally, Yang Guang's gaze fell upon Zhang Qiu Taiyi. "Please divine for me the auspiciousness or misfortune."
Zhang Qiu Taiyi solemnly rose to respond and took over two hours to reach a conclusion: "Your Majesty has a Wood destiny; Yongzhou is in conflict with Wood and cannot remain long!"
Then, as if possessed by spirits, he gestured dramatically for a moment before saying: "Repairing Luoyang will benefit the Jin family!"
The crowd gasped. After divining about the Predecessor Emperor, Zhang Qiu Taiyi's fame spread throughout the land; ordinary people believed his words.
Currently, with the capital in the west and the west belonging to Metal—which overcomes Wood—this concerned His Majesty's Dragon Body destiny. Who would dare suggest otherwise? They could only bow down: "We humbly request Your Majesty to build the Eastern Capital and repair Luoyang."
"Granted!"
News of this returned to Chang'an, thus ensuring that the Emperor's will was carried out as preparations began in court.
...
In November, after returning to Beijing, Li Yan's family came back to Chang'an. A few days later, Chen Shubao, who had been exiled for sixteen years, passed away. His funeral was quite grand since he had more than a dozen sons managing affairs.
After much deliberation, the Emperor finally chose a posthumous title for him: "Yang," which meant various things—good internal governance yet distant in courtesy; good at maintaining distance yet cruel towards people; great ambition yet poor governance; unfeeling and ungrateful; leading to moral decay and national ruin.
This was how Chen Shubao's legacy was sealed. To demonstrate his own magnanimity, he posthumously honored Chen Shubao as Grand General and arranged for him to be buried at Mang Mountain in Luoyang while granting positions to his descendants.
The court began to bustle with preparations for various grand ceremonies, including the coronation of the Crown Prince and the Emperor's formal ancestral worship.
With the arrival of the new year, the Sui Dynasty welcomed a new era, Prosperous Deeds, a time of great undertakings.
In the first year of Daye, on the day of the new moon in the first month, the new Emperor granted a general amnesty, established the Xiao Family as Queen, held a banquet for the courtiers, and conducted rituals at the ancestral temple.
Li Jian Cheng, dressed in official robes, stood among the courtiers participating in the grand ceremony. He followed the instructions of officials from the Ministry of Rites, occasionally bowing solemnly and moving as directed.
The Emperor was handsome and imposing. Having ascended to this supreme position at the peak of his mental and physical prowess, he naturally aimed to achieve great accomplishments.
Bing Chen conferred upon the Crown Prince his ceremonial treasures. As the Crown Prince's Imperial Guard, Li Jian Cheng had even more responsibilities. However, he was fine; it was the now plump Crown Prince who seemed uncomfortable, his face flushed and sweating profusely.
After bestowing honors upon the Queen and Crown Prince, the Emperor turned to reward the courtiers. He ordered officials to produce gold treasures, utensils, brocades, and carriages on a large scale to reward loyal old ministers and those who participated in suppressing rebellions.
Yang Su undoubtedly stood at the forefront, with Yuwen Shu, Xiao Cong, Come to Protect the Child, Li Zixiong, Li Yan, and Li Jian Cheng following behind to receive their accolades. Li Jian Cheng received several pieces of jade and a carriage.
Then the Emperor promoted Yang Su to Minister of Rites. This was the first time since the establishment of Sui that someone held this position. Yang Su was so moved that he publicly performed a dance for the Emperor as a gesture of gratitude.
However, just as his predecessor had allowed Yang Su to attend court every few days without needing to handle trivial matters personally, Yang Guang had similar intentions. Thus began Yang Su's new life as Minister of Rites while feigning illness at home.
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